Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max: release date expectations, price estimates and upgrades

The new Pro models are expected in September 2026, continuing Apple’s usual release cycle, but leaks suggest they could bring some of the most significant hardware and software changes in years.

The iPhone 18 Pro duo is rumored to debut Apple’s A20 Pro chip built on a 2nm process, offering faster speeds and better efficiency. Combined with Apple’s in-house 5G modem, this could translate into stronger performance and longer battery life. Storage may reach up to 2 TB on the Pro Max, while charging speeds are tipped to remain at 40W (at least).

On the software side, iOS 27 will likely launch alongside the iPhone 18 series, with a sharper focus on Apple Intelligence. Delayed AI features, including a more advanced Siri, are expected to finally roll out, supported by higher-bandwidth RAM sourced from Samsung. This combination of new hardware and refined software puts AI at the center of Apple’s next-generation iPhones.

Camera upgrades could also be dramatic, with Apple rumored to adopt a 200 MP Samsung sensor for the first time, along with a variable aperture and redesigned Camera Control button. These improvements, paired with the expanded storage and faster internals, suggest that the iPhone 18 Pro Max could be a great successor to the iPhone 17 Pro Max.

* – probable dates

Apple is rumored to adopt TSMC’s 2-nanometer processors in 2026, likely for the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max. Moving from 3nm to 2nm could raise the cost of each chip by around $35, a 70% increase from $50 to $85.

• Apple: Likely to continue its iPhone Upgrade Program, allowing users to get a new iPhone every 12 months through 12 payments and a trade-in of their current device.
• Verizon: The iPhone 18 Pro may come with no upfront cost (with an eligible plan), while the iPhone 18 Pro Max could require a small upfront payment; terms should be reviewed carefully.
• T-Mobile: Expected to offer the iPhone 18 Pro for free with an eligible plan and trade-in, with potential discounts up to $700 on any iPhone 18 model or BOGO deals when adding a line.
• AT&T: Anticipated to provide attractive promotions, possibly giving the iPhone 18 Pro for free with a qualifying plan and trade-in of any phone.

Expected iPhone 18 Pro Max camera setup:

If confirmed, this would be the first time Apple uses Samsung camera hardware in iPhones, signaling a significant change in a component partnership long dominated by Sony, which is reportedly racing to develop its own 200 MP sensor in response.

Variable aperture?

Variable aperture lets a camera adjust its lens opening to control light and depth of field, with wider apertures improving low-light performance and background blur, and narrower apertures keeping more of the scene in focus while reducing light.

A different kind of Camera Control button

The higher capacities would give users plenty of space for photos, videos, apps, games, and AI features, making it particularly useful for creators who work with 4K or 8K footage, ProRes RAW files, or run multiple demanding apps at once.

iPhone 18 Pro Max design

These early rumors suggest the iPhone 18 Pro could be a unique transitional design, paving the way for larger changes in Apple’s 2027 20th-anniversary model.

iPhone 18 Pro Max display

These panels should be bright and anti-reflective, as they are on their predecessors.

iPhone 18 Pro Max battery

Apple is expected to bring its in-house cellular modem to next year’s Pro models, allowing tighter integration between hardware and software. This optimization could improve efficiency, giving the iPhone 18 Pro longer battery life compared with using a Qualcomm chip.

Expected battery capacity:

iOS 27 is expected to launch alongside the iPhone 18 lineup in 2026, bringing deeper Apple Intelligence integration and a more refined Siri experience. Some of the AI tools delayed for iPhone 17 may finally arrive, giving Apple a chance to catch up with rivals that already lean heavily on generative AI.For the iPhone 18 Pro, one of the key upgrades could be higher-performance RAM sourced from Samsung. This 6-channel memory would deliver greater bandwidth, enabling smoother multitasking and powering more advanced AI features. Faster RAM would also boost overall performance across apps, gaming, and productivity.

Apple’s push for AI is the main driver behind these changes, as the company looks to avoid the incomplete rollout issues that plagued earlier iPhones. With iOS 27 and upgraded hardware, the iPhone 18 Pro is shaping up to be Apple’s most AI-focused device yet.

• CPU: A20 Pro
• RAM: 12 GB
• Battery: up to ~5,100 mAh
• Charging: up to 40W wired charge
• Storage: 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB / 2 TB
• Camera setup: 200 MP main camera sensor, 48 MP telephoto, 48 mp ultra-wide, 18 MP selfie with Center Stage
• Connectivity: Apple’s in-house C2 modem

iPhone 18 Pro  specs:

• CPU: A20 Pro
• RAM: 12 GB
• Battery: from ~4,100 mAh
• Charging: up to 40W wired charge
• Storage: 256 GB / 512 GB / 1 TB
• Camera setup: 200 MP main camera sensor, 48 MP telephoto, 48 mp ultra-wide, 18 MP selfie with Center Stage
• Connectivity: Apple’s in-house C2 modem

The iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max are shaping up to be major hardware upgrades, with reports pointing to Apple introducing its first in-house 5G modem for flagship models. This new chip, likely called the C2, is expected to deliver better efficiency than Qualcomm’s modems while also supporting mmWave, which was missing from Apple’s earlier C1 modem. Improved efficiency could also mean noticeable gains in battery life.At the heart of the Pro duo will be Apple’s A20 Pro processor, rumored to be the first iPhone chip built on TSMC’s 2nm process. The smaller node promises up to 15% faster performance and as much as 30% better power efficiency on the A20 compared to the A19. For the Pro models, Apple may also debut a new packaging method called Wafer-Level Multi-Chip Module (WMCM), which integrates memory closer to the CPU, GPU, and Neural Engine to boost performance and keep the device running cooler.

• You should wait for the iPhone 18 Pro duo if you want Apple’s biggest leap in performance, efficiency, and camera technology in years.

• You should not wait for the iPhone 18 Pro duo if you need a new phone right now and can’t hold out until September 2026. Also, if you’re looking for a budget-friendly device, you can pass on the iPhone 18 Pro Duo.